The Warwickshire mine ordered a Huesker System from NBW Mining (Aust) last week. The Daw Mill longwall is 300m long and extracts up to 5m coal.

The Huesker Recovery Systems were introduced eight years ago and have become an important tool in improving the safety and efficiency of longwall changeouts. The mesh provides a barrier between longwall equipment and recovery crews, and goaf material behind the longwall.

The Huesker System destined for Daw Mill will be the largest single piece of longwall recovery mat ever made, and will incorporate all of the latest features that have been developed by NBW Mining (Aust).

The Huesker System will be constructed by Hunter Mining Methods at its purpose-built site and will be installed at the mine early in 2005. NBW Mining owner Nick Wills said it was anticipated using the Huesker System would cut the Daw Mill relocation time by at least 50%.

Daw Mill is in the process of rolling out a series of new efficiency initiatives across a wide range of activities. It is hoped these incremental improvements will collectively make a substantial difference to the mine’s performance, resulting in more tonnes and more metres.